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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
LAMICTAL may cause a serious skin rash that may cause you to be hospitalized or to stop LAMICTAL; it may rarely cause death
(See Boxed Warning). CONTINUED BELOW
Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

 
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About LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT
Risks and Side Effects
Taking LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT
  Getting Started
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  Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) (with Dr. Thompson)
Easy-to-Swallow
Form of LAMICTAL
About Bipolar Disorder
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Taking LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT

If you have a prescription, or if you are planning to talk with your healthcare provider about LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT, here is some information to help you. Remember, it is between you and your healthcare provider to find out if LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT is right for you.

LAMICTAL ODT is another form of LAMICTAL. LAMICTAL ODT is pleasant-tasting and easy-to-swallow.

It is important to take LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT for bipolar I disorder as directed by your healthcare provider. Learning more about LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT is a good first step.

In this section, you can find out more about LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT:

  Getting Started
  Follow Your Treatment Plan
  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (with Dr. Thompson)

Talk to your healthcare provider

Talk with your healthcare provider about maintenance treatment with LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT, and ask whether LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT is right for you.

LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT are used for the long-term treatment of bipolar I disorder to lengthen the time between mood episodes in people 18 years or older who have been treated for mood episodes with other medicine.

It is not known if LAMICTAL and LAMICTAL ODT are safe or effective in children or teenagers under the age of 18 such as bipolar disorder or depression.

     "I make sure I take LAMICTAL as directed by my doctor."
 
Resource Links
  Tools to Help Patients
with Bipolar Disorder
  Finding a Healthcare
Provider
  Finding a Support Group
  Bipolar Disorder Glossary
  Online Resources
 

Important Safety Information About LAMICTAL® (lamotrigine) Tablets and LAMICTAL® ODT™ (lamotrigine) Orally Disintegrating Tablets

LAMICTAL may cause a serious skin rash that may cause you to be hospitalized or to stop LAMICTAL; it may rarely cause death. There is no way to tell if a mild rash will develop into a more serious reaction. These serious skin reactions are more likely to happen when you begin taking LAMICTAL, within the first 2-8 weeks of treatment. But it can happen in people who have taken LAMICTAL for any period of time. Children between 2 to 16 years of age have a higher chance of getting this serious skin reaction while taking LAMICTAL.

The risk of getting a rash is higher if taking LAMICTAL while taking valproate [Depakene* (valproic acid) or Depakote* (divalproex sodium)], taking a higher starting dose of LAMICTAL than a healthcare provider prescribed or increasing the dose of LAMICTAL faster than prescribed.

LAMICTAL can also cause other types of allergic reactions or serious problems which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following: a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around your eyes, swelling of your lips or tongue, yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe fatigue or weakness, severe muscle pain or frequent infections. These symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A healthcare provider should examine you to decide if you should continue taking LAMICTAL.

You should not take LAMICTAL if you have had an allergic reaction to lamotrigine or to any of the inactive ingredients.

LAMICTAL may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call a healthcare provider right away if you have worsening depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts or actions about suicide or self-harm, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you (see Medication Guide).

Always check that you receive LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT

Patients prescribed LAMICTAL have sometimes been given the wrong medicine because many medicines have names similar to LAMICTAL, so always check that you receive LAMICTAL. Taking the wrong medication can cause serious health problems. When your healthcare provider gives you a prescription for LAMICTAL or LAMICTAL ODT, make sure you can read it clearly. Talk to your pharmacist to check that you are given the correct medicine. Each time you fill your prescription, check the tablets you receive against the pictures of the tablets in the Medication Guide that comes with your prescription.

Common side effects include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tremor, rash, fever, abdominal pain, back pain, tiredness, and dry mouth. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you have any changes in your menstrual pattern, such as breakthrough bleeding, while taking LAMICTAL and birth control pills. These are not all the possible side effects of LAMICTAL.

*Depakene and Depakote are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories